By now, if you haven't visited a Mandarin Restaurant, you must be living under a rock. They seem to be popping up everywhere.
Anyways....as you enter the restaurant you're greeted by a chorus of staff yelling their catch phrase.... "Welcome to the Mandarin". It's uncanny how they are all in synch and in tune with each other.
A host/hostess will escort you to your table and along the way you'll pass by the buffet. They will make small chit chat with you and explain the buffet stations and explain any specials they have. Once seated, your server is usually at the table within a few minutes.
The buffet is massive...there are the following stations:
Chinese Food (usually 2 stations)
Salads and Soups
Desserts - pastries, cakes, pies, ice creams
Sushi
Mixed - Roast Beef, pizza, etc
For a buffet, the food isn't bad...probably one of the best when it comes to choice, price and quality. The service is friendly but they know that you're there for the buffet so they stay out of your way. Empty plates are cleared away quickly. Beer is reasonably priced although some of the mixed drinks can be a bit pricey.
In order to suit the clientele and the restaurant is a buffet, the food is Canadianized/Americanized Chinese food so the fare is: Chicken Balls, Lemon Chicken, Springs Rolls, Pepper Beef (the spiciest dish I've had here), noodles, rice, etc. If this is what you like when you have Chinese Food this is the place for you.